News

Transit director Dave Wardrop has been promoted to the position of Chief Transportation and Utilities Officer (CTUO), whose responsibilities will include "day-to-day management" of his former department plus the departments of public works and water and waste, along with responsibilities for the special operating agencies of fleet services and the Winnipeg Parking Authority.

Wardrop’s promotion was disclosed in an email sent to all members of council shortly after noon Monday by Chief Administrative Officer Doug McNeil.

The creation of the CTUO post happened in September, when McNeil announced a realignment of senior managers that created an upper echelon of six senior managers, each responsible for several civic departments.

The senior management team consists of the CTUO (Wardrop), the chief financial officer (Mike Ruta), the chief corporate services officer (Michael Jack, formerly known as the COO), the director of customer services and communications (Felicia Wiltshire), and the new positions of chief innovation officer (vacant) and chief asset and project management officer (Georges Chartier).

In his new role, Wardrop will be responsible for establishing the strategic direction and capital improvements in addition to the day-to-day management of those departments.

Wardrop’s replacement as director of transit has not been announced. McNeil’s email said a recruitment for a new transit boss will occur sometime in the future.

Mayor Brian Bowman said he expects Wardrop will bring the same effort and results to his new role that he demonstrated while transit director.

Bowman said the realignment of senior managers was McNeil's decision, adding the total number of employees hasn't changed.

"We want to bring about some positive change and if some restructuring can allow for greater accountability and results from the public service, then we support that," Bowman said.

McNeil also announced that Clive Wightman, the director of community services, is resigning, effective March 31. Wightman has been with the city for 25 years and director of community services for the past 11 years.

Wardrop began with the city in 1990 as a design engineer in the water and waste department. He has been director of transit for 11 years.

McNeil said Moira Geer, who has been acting director of water and waste, will continue in that role while a search for a permanent boss is launched.